Question about 30” depth SPS lighting

[P.kapp]

Hey Everyone! I’ve been reading a bunch of build threads and some threads here in this section. Lots of information to try and retain, but I love it. I moved back in 2016 and sold my reef tank, and about 6 months ago I decided to start getting back into it. I currently have a 100 gal tank that is temporary while I work on collecting gear and finishing a fish room for the tank I have in mind. The dimensions of the tank will be roughly 72” x 44” x 30” tall. It will be a mostly sps tank with a few Euphyllia’s and maybe a gorgonia or two for some movement. My question is what kind of Budget LED lights (Noopsyche, Mars Aqua, etc) have you guys had good luck with when it comes to keeping sps at 30” depth, and how many would it take for a tank this size? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

 

[rushbattle]

Hey Everyone! I’ve been reading a bunch of build threads and some threads here in this section. Lots of information to try and retain, but I love it. I moved back in 2016 and sold my reef tank, and about 6 months ago I decided to start getting back into it. I currently have a 100 gal tank that is temporary while I work on collecting gear and finishing a fish room for the tank I have in mind. The dimensions of the tank will be roughly 72” x 44” x 30” tall. It will be a mostly sps tank with a few Euphyllia’s and maybe a gorgonia or two for some movement. My question is what kind of Budget LED lights (Noopsyche, Mars Aqua, etc) have you guys had good luck with when it comes to keeping sps at 30” depth, and how many would it take for a tank this size? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

This is crazy. I have a 72x44x27 display on the way. What a coincidence in the dimensions!

I am planning a similar coral stocking list, and I am going to be running 1000w of custom diy LED and 480w T5. Sorry I can’t let you know how that works out yet, but following along and maybe we can learn something from each other in time.

 

[P.kapp]

This is crazy. I have a 72x44x27 display on the way. What a coincidence in the dimensions!

I am planning a similar coral stocking list, and I am going to be running 1000w of custom diy LED and 480w T5. Sorry I can’t let you know how that works out yet, but following along and maybe we can learn something from each other in time.

HaHa. That’s amazing! When I got my quote for the tank I was thinking, these guys probably think this is the weirdest size tank. I’m glad it’s not just me! I love the look of LED and T5’s together. I’m sure you’ll be done with yours before me. Post a picture when you’re done! Thanks for responding!

 

[Bpb]

You’ll want a lot. Probably 15 black boxes would do it. 12 at least

 

[rushbattle]

HaHa. That’s amazing! When I got my quote for the tank I was thinking, these guys probably think this is the weirdest size tank. I’m glad it’s not just me! I love the look of LED and T5’s together. I’m sure you’ll be done with yours before me. Post a picture when you’re done! Thanks for responding!

Who is building your tank? I’ve been waiting a while but they should be ready soon. I have a 72x48x18 coming as well. Same lighting setup.

 

[P.kapp]

You’ll want a lot. Probably 15 black boxes would do it. 12 at least

Thanks for your input! How high above the waterline would you place them?

 

[P.kapp]

Who is building your tank? I’ve been waiting a while but they should be ready soon. I have a 72x48x18 coming as well. Same lighting setup.

Planet Aquariums is who I will most likely use. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

 

[Bpb]

Thanks for your input! How high above the waterline would you place them?

probably about 12”. This will give the most even blending of color and intensity considering the width and depth

 

[P.kapp]

probably about 12”. This will give the most even blending of color and intensity considering the width and depth

Ok, great! Thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

My first answer was SB REEF lighting, mainly the Ultras.
With new tank at 48” deep, the Orpheks are my answer

 

[oreo54]

Hey Everyone! I’ve been reading a bunch of build threads and some threads here in this section. Lots of information to try and retain, but I love it. I moved back in 2016 and sold my reef tank, and about 6 months ago I decided to start getting back into it. I currently have a 100 gal tank that is temporary while I work on collecting gear and finishing a fish room for the tank I have in mind. The dimensions of the tank will be roughly 72” x 44” x 30” tall. It will be a mostly sps tank with a few Euphyllia’s and maybe a gorgonia or two for some movement. My question is what kind of Budget LED lights (Noopsyche, Mars Aqua, etc) have you guys had good luck with when it comes to keeping sps at 30” depth, and how many would it take for a tank this size? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Even budget will be around $1000 so a suggestion IF you can go a bit out of the ordinary..
4 of these the long way..

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/13-sbox-30-basic-3-channel.html

Basically lighting 4 tanks that are 18x44...
Realistically about 968Watts...
Disclaimer: This suggestion is based on geometry not total PAR needs but don't see it as an issue though a depth of 30" plus height above tank is a bit daunting to hit like 200-300PAR (recommended by experts) on the sand bead..

bit of geeky material on a fw "165" W (rally not that high) sbreef
@ 30" and all channels at 100% was hitting PAR levels of 266:
https://barrreport.com/threads/sbreef-fresh-water-led-165-watt-par-data.15540/
PAR was measured at a total height of 30". You would likely be at about 40" or slightly less.
You'll need to consider at what percentage you want to run the 2 channels.
Will determine how many boxes you want/need to run. I think of the 4 as a minimum.
Since PAR measures all visible light, the lights (fw vs sw) should measure about the same..
bad pic of diodes in the 32" but should get an idea..

vetteguy what say you? you posted while I was typing.. ;)
Consider the above the budget light as opposed to the Orphek..and about min for the o/p's needs..

anyways just food for thought..

 

[vetteguy53081]

Even budget will be around $1000 so a suggestion IF you can go a bit out of the ordinary..
4 of these the long way..

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/13-sbox-30-basic-3-channel.html

Basically lighting 4 tanks that are 18x44...
Realistically about 968Watts...
Disclaimer: This suggestion is based on geometry not total PAR needs but don't see it as an issue though a depth of 30" plus height above tank is a bit daunting to hit like 200-300PAR (recommended by experts) on the sand bead..

bit of geeky material on a fw "165" W (rally not that high) sbreef
@ 30" and all channels at 100% was hitting PAR levels of 266:
https://barrreport.com/threads/sbreef-fresh-water-led-165-watt-par-data.15540/
PAR was measured at a total height of 30". You would likely be at about 40" or slightly less.
You'll need to consider at what percentage you want to run the 2 channels.
Will determine how many boxes you want/need to run. I think of the 4 as a minimum.
Since PAR measures all visible light, the lights (fw vs sw) should measure about the same..
bad pic of diodes in the 32" but should get an idea..

vetteguy what say you? you posted while I was typing.. ;)
Consider the above the budget light as opposed to the Orphek..and about min for the o/p's needs..

anyways just food for thought..

For the budget- Orphek Light bars (OR2) series

 

[Aquanaut WA]

Here is a comparison on the top LED makes. Also, ReeFi Duo Extremes are on special $100 Off and 3yr waranty. I have six units 14” over a 72x36x27. #ReeFiLove

 

[Will Wohlers]

Go metal halide and take all the guess work out. You could do a really nice retro with 3 400 watters and grow anything you could possibly want down to the sand. The initial cost would be far less upfront which would offset the difference of the energy used. Even though if you're pushing 1000+ watts of led the power usage will be about the same. With huge tanks mh is really the way to go.

 

[oreo54]

Go metal halide and take all the guess work out. You could do a really nice retro with 3 400 watters and grow anything you could possibly want down to the sand. The initial cost would be far less upfront which would offset the difference of the energy used. Even though if you're pushing 1000+ watts of led the power usage will be about the same. With huge tanks mh is really the way to go.

6 250's maybe
44" front to back is a challenge for any 1 row lighting..unless you live w/ lower coverage f to b in the upper part of the tank..

a matter of geometry..;)
Not really seeing a cost savings though except premium LED vs 400W MH "system"
3 400w is still about $1000....Fancy bells and whistles LED will top $2000 I suppose.
https://www.marinedepot.com/hamilton-cabo-sun-14000k-system

 

[Will Wohlers]

6 250's maybe
44" front to back is a challenge for any 1 row lighting..unless you live w/ lower coverage f to b in the upper part of the tank..

a matter of geometry..;)
Not really seeing a cost savings though except premium LED vs 400W MH "system"
3 400w is still about $1000....Fancy bells and whistles LED will top $2000 I suppose.
https://www.marinedepot.com/hamilton-cabo-sun-14000k-system

Hung high enough with the right bulb ballast and reflectors a 400 watt halide will easily cover a 4ft x 4ft area.

 

[oreo54]

Hung high enough with the right bulb ballast and reflectors a 400 watt halide will easily cover a 4ft x 4ft area.

Thanks.. at what cost to PAR and how evenly distributed top bottom front back..
Not saying you are wrong.. Not the point, you aren't.
Growers push 4x4 w/ MH's but there is a trade off..
and again.. From cheap w/w LED vs MH's there is little price difference..

Let me ask this in a different way..

Which do you think is better given the tank size..
6 250's or 3 400's..
Ignore LED's for the moment..
Aquarium's are different than free air due to reflections/refraction but gives one an idea
315W bulb
https://www.epicgardening.com/cmh-grow-lights/

 

[C. Eymann]

I agree with going haildes, and for a 30" deep tank? 400w for sure.

Big wide casting reflectors like large lumiarcs or big sunlight supply horticultural reflectors will disperse well/adequately light a large area.

 

[jda]

Do you have an idea of where you want to keep coral? If it will be under the entire footprint, then you have a large and complex problem to solve. If mostly down the middle in a 24 or 30" row, then this is easier and you can let the front/back/whatever get dimmer.

To do the whole tank, you are going to need two rows of panels or "smaller" lights, so the suggestions that you are getting are pretty good - lots of panels. If you don't want to flank your panels in T5s, then double them up or you will get shadows that will harm your SPS... so we are talking like 10-12 Radions or Black Boxes. If you order a dozen black boxes, get an extra or two for when one of them goes out and you have a matching unit on the shelf... and save that bad one for parts.

Not what you asked, but I would consider a pair of 6 or 8 bulb 60" Sunpowers with LED strips on each side... or 6x 250w HQI Halides. BRS says that you can use the t5 bulbs for 2 years. You can use 4x400W MH on 20" reflectors with LED strips or T5s in the front and back - the good thing about 400w mogul is that you can go 1000w if you ever NEED to... these things are powerful and effective, but they do use up some power. In any case, you are going to have a lot of wattage for this if you want to grow corals anywhere and have great results. Do not underestimate how much reflectors are your friend on larger tanks.

Whatever you decide, this tank is no joke to light, so plan on spending a lot to buy the stuff and also a lot each month to keep it running - if you find yourself wanting to skimp, then get a smaller tank (27-30" deep will work for most single rows of lights). Also, try and get advice from people who have solved this problem since even when people mean well, what they do on even a 180g or nano will not scale to what you are doing and the advice ends up being too little.

In the end, if you are down to equal price to buy and run, then let performance be a big factor.

 

[Will Wohlers]

Thanks.. at what cost to PAR and how evenly distributed top bottom front back..
Not saying you are wrong.. Not the point, you aren't.
Growers push 4x4 w/ MH's but there is a trade off..
and again.. From cheap w/w LED vs MH's there is little price difference..

Let me ask this in a different way..

Which do you think is better given the tank size..
6 250's or 3 400's..
Ignore LED's for the moment..
Aquarium's are different than free air due to reflections/refraction but gives one an idea
315W bulb
https://www.epicgardening.com/cmh-grow-lights/

I think jda summed it up pretty well but the 400 watt halide will give you the extra punch and par at the bottom of that deep tank. If we're solely talking about spread then 6 250 watt halide definitely. But you're running 1500 watts that way just running halide. I suspect you'll want to light it in the off hours when the halide are off and you're home at night. How about 3 400 watt halides flanked with a row of t5 on each side. that would keep you in the same area of wattage as 6 250s and allow you to run blues in the morning and evening to pop the colors the halide render.